Puck, 1879-08-27 · page 5 of 16
Puck — August 27, 1879 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a serialized satirical poem with accompanying illustrations mocking a character named Troddledums through animal comparisons and absurd scenarios. The narrative follows Troddledums—depicted as simian (ape-like)—through various humiliating situations: being hired as a barber despite incompetence, botching haircuts, nipping patients' ears with scissors, and generally causing chaos. The satire appears to ridicule someone's incompetence and pretension to respectability. The "Simian" subtitle suggests the target is being portrayed as primitive or brutish despite attempts at civilized employment. Without additional context identifying the specific historical figure, the cartoon likely targets a contemporary public figure whose incompetence or unsuitable behavior made them a mockery—common Puck magazine practice of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PUCK. TRODDLEDUMS, THE SIMIAN. EAWARD blown by favoring gales, Troddledums left his native vales; And the wind that blew him forth Blew him to the west and north, Blew him, with his captor tar, To the land where white men ‘are— Where the flag of freedom waves, And (see cut,) this barber shaves. a All to get his hirsute crop Mowed, unto the barber's shop ‘The plougher of the ocean comes, Taking with him Troddledums, And the latter's airy grace, Pretty ways and beauteous face, ‘And his tail’s prehensile art, Won the barber's tender heart, So he bought our hero, saying: * Dainty pet—his jovial playing Will amuse, my nautical sir, Me and the casual customer.” Now is Troddledums domiciled With a master meek and mild. But this master oft would go ‘To his private studio, There be did concoct pomades— There be wove fictitious braids ‘And while so employed, one day, Came a countryman that way— An immigrant from far-off lands, With his knit-cap in his hands. PART IIL Sat he down within the chair; Showed a wilderness of hair, Much in need of barbering— On his back see Troddledums spring; And commence tw put him through As he'd seen the barber do. Scarce the scissors can he steer, ‘And he nips the patient's ear. Woereat that patient says a word Ne’cr in good society heard. While, his shoulders standing higher on, Troddledums uses the curhng-iron. Making the sore ear smoke and hiss With an effect much like to this. Then, with head plunged in the basin, Moaned the immigrant: *‘Alas!” And the monkey stood grimacin’ At himself in the looking-glass. And he said: ‘* None love me bere. I will slide out.” And he slid. [More hereafter. comicbooks.com